Brave mum Carrie Ann Curtis used grief to help thousands of other bereaved parents after baby son died
There's still time to enter an amazing mum you know into The Sun on Sunday's Mum Idol competition
WHEN her baby boy died just minutes after his birth, Carrie Ann Curtis used the tragedy to help thousands of other bereaved parents in the UK.
Now she has been nominated for our Mum Idol competition.
And there is still time to nominate an amazing mother YOU know too.
Carrie Ann’s son Charlie was born with Potter’s Syndrome in December 2012, which meant he had under-developed lungs and kidneys.
After his death, Carrie Ann struggled to find support or counselling so, just six months after Charlie’s death and aged 19, she set up Charlie’s Angel Centre, a charity dedicated to helping bereaved parents.
She has now assisted more than 1,000 people by putting them in touch with counsellors quickly.
Her mum Sam Key — who nominated Carrie Ann for our award — said: “My daughter gave Charlie the very best legacy, helping other bereaved families.
“Carrie Ann struggled to get any support. There was a waiting list of six to 18 months for counselling. Now her charity gets people an appointment with a counsellor within a week.
"She deserves recognition and I’d love her to win The Sun’s Mum Idol.”
MOST READ IN REAL LIFE
In between her charity work Carrie Ann, 24, is studying criminal psychology at The Open University. She is engaged to Josh Edwards, 23, an engineer.
At the end of this month Charlie’s Angel Centre will be launching one-to-one bereavement counselling, with counsellors giving their time for free.
Carrie Ann, who lives in Leeds, is also working with hospitals to make sure bereavement packs are available when needed.
She said: “I wanted other mums to have somewhere they could call at two in the morning or just pop in for a coffee and speak to someone, because you do feel like you’re going crazy.
“I thought if I can make it easier for even just one family, then I’d have made a difference.
“No family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a baby without support.
“What we’ve managed to achieve makes me proud every day.
"It’s given me a drive and ambition and I’m really happy we’ve been able to make a difference.”
Charlie’s Angel Centre is run from gran Sam and husband Clive’s home.
Sam helps with the day-to-day running of the charity and also maintains the website, charlies-angel-centre.org.uk.
Carrie Ann said: “This is Charlie’s legacy. He was sent to us for a reason and that was to help make a difference.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve done and I hope Charlie would be proud of his mummy.”
The Sun’s Mum Idol competition is taking nominations until NEXT SUNDAY.
The winner will be announced on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 26.
You win: Harrods hamper, stunning makeover and professional photoshoot.
HOW TO ENTER
GET nominating now and send us as many details as you can, including photos and a short video if possible.
Entries must be emailed to:
with the subject line MUM IDOL.
T&Cs: Competition closes at midnight on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Entrants can be any age but must be UK residents. Only one entry per person. The winner will be selected by a judging panel headed by Karren Brady on Monday, March 13, 2017. No cash alternative to prize in whole or in part. Prize is non-transferable. Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition. Promoter is News Group Newspapers Ltd. Not open to staff of the promoter and promotional partner or their families.